Memories of Elmer Keith

[Marksman]

I had the good fortune of meeting Elmer when he was manning the Peterson Publications booth at the inaugural SHOT show in St. Louis. Like Elmer I have been a life long fan of the .44 Magnum and .338 Magnum. Elmer was not at all how I imagined him, he was pretty quiet and soft spoken. I have read several of his books and always read his magazine articles.

 

[jcs266]

I grew up reading Elmer's books and articles. I learned a lot from them and to this day thoroughly enjoy sitting by the fire and reading them again.

Classic Americana from a bygone era.

 

[mtgianni]

I live within 50 miles of and travel through the country he grew up in regularly. I have also hunted the area N of his home. I have no doubt that his writings reflect the places he lived and hunted. Sixguns, Hell I was there, Safari and Rifles by Keith are all on my bookshelf.

 

[rockquarry]

I read Elmer Keith beginning in the early '60s and have some of his books. I think many would benefit from reading much of his material, but I was never the fervent disciple of Keith that some have become. Same for Askins, Skelton, and Jordan. Cooper and Nonte, couldn't take much of them.

Gunwriters like Bob Hagel, Ken Waters, Ken Howell, Phil Sharpe, Bob Milek and maybe a few others were certainly among the very best.

 

[DGNY]

I certainly relished the opportunity to hear Elmer telling tales and including countless details (e.g., the names of vegetables sold by the Chinese gardeners) that seem to verify the truthfulness of what he says. In that sense he seems to be in the millennial-long tradition of hearing stories, witnessing events in his own life, absorbing earlier stories, and then being able many years later to retell them.

This seems a particular talent, and I believe that when multiple generations of such raconteurs taught one another, that is how the oral traditions of history, religion, cultural practices frequently came down to us. Not to mention that he was a skilled, if little-schooled journalist upon the printed page.

Much appreciation for having posted those two Keith recordings.

 

[smithra_66]

I always laughed at how specific Elmer was with his "estimations."

"Back in the Summer of 19 and 19 I shot approximately 47 jackrabbits. The furthest one I estimated to be 303 yards away.

And this was 1979 when he was telling the story.

 

[daveyc]

certainly is interesting to hear his voice. Not as I had imagined all these years. I am sure he was a hoot to talk with.

 

[daveyc]

I always laughed at how specific Elmer was with his "estimations."

"Back in the Summer of 19 and 19 I shot approximately 47 jackrabbits. The furthest one I estimated to be 303 yards away.

And this was 1979 when he was telling the story.

Oh, I am sure there was lots of exaggeration with old Elmer, as there no doubt is with most of us. The stories always get taller with time.

 

[Dave.357]

I grew up reading Elmer. A very interesting man
that put words on paper that I enjoyed reading.

 

[DARE]

Thanks for the memories you guys have shared about Elmer.

When my dad went to Salmon to visit Elmer and Lorraine he took along his Keith books to get them signed.
Elmer signed "Keith" and "Sixguns by Keith."

"Safari" was signed by T. R. Fowler, the publisher plus Elmer and Lorraine. I especially treasure that one. Probably Fowler signed at one of the industry trade shows dad attended. Fowler was a big game hunter in addition to being a publisher. I believe he financed Elmer's trip to Africa for the Safari book.

Think I will try to find a copy of "Hell I was There."
Keith was published in 1974, not sure when Hell I was There came out.

 

[kennyb]

One of the very best!!

 

[AJ]

Read a lot of Mr. Keith's articles and books. This is a M1 Carbine stock with his acceptance stamp on it. O.G.E.K. = Ogden Arsenal Elmer Keith.

 

[Buick]

I enjoy his writing; "Hell, I was there" is a great read. "Big Game Rifles and Cartridges" is probably my personal favorite.

 

[fdover]

Elmer Keith meeting

I met Elmer at the Great Western Gun Show at the Pomona fair grounds in the in the early(?) 80s. He was manning the Guns and Ammo booth. He was the only one there and I was the only one at the booth. There were a lot of people but not crowded. I don't think they knew who he was. I shook his hand and talked a short time about what I don't remember, I think 44 mags. As I left we both said good by. I still remember it fondly.
Fred #2968

 

[RMFnLA]

I, too, grew up reading his stuff, and have been a lifetime fan of long-range handgun shooting as a result.

I think it was Skeeter who said S&W should put out an Elmer Keith commemorative Model 29 with an outhouse engraved on the side plate.

 

[AJ]

I think it was Skeeter who said S&W should put out an Elmer Keith commemorative Model 29 with an outhouse engraved on the side plate.

Was that in reference to Elmer shooting at outhouses when he was a cowpoke? Or that he was full of it......???

 

[RMFnLA]

Was that in reference to Elmer shooting at outhouses when he was a cowpoke? Or that he was full of it......???

The first one, of course.

 

[AJ]

Was that in reference to Elmer shooting at outhouses when he was a cowpoke? Or that he was full of it......???

The first one, of course.

As I remember the range was something like 700 yards.....

 

[Greyman50]

Elmer shot at extreme ranges to many but it can be done, steady hands and LOTS of practice. On our hunt club in mountains of Va. we used to shoot pistols at 100-300 yards in off season, lots of fun.

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

Why in the world is there not a current printing of "Hell, I Was there"? Seriously...